Sectional sign or poster board



Dec. 24, 1929. w, BELL 1,740,534

SECTIONAL SIGN 0R POSTER BOARD Filed April 22, 1927 27 ,TFI I n 4 h I u 1 Z5 I lg Z: q 1 Q [,21 25/ INVENTOR. W/umn fax BELL.

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iatented Dec. 24, 1929 STATES WILLIAM REX BELL, OF TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA SECTIONAL SIGN B POSTER BOARD Application filed April 22,

This invention relates to a sectional sign or poster board.

The chief object of the invention is to construct a sign or poster board of sections of a character so that the several parts thereof may be readily disassembled and reassembled when the metal face or section frame needs replacing.

Another object of the invention is to construct the sections in a simplified manner and of but few parts and these so positioned relative to each other and to similar parts of other sections, whereby an unobstructed sign receiving surface is obtained.

The chief feature of the invention consists in the formation of the sections such that the exposed sign receiving surface is substantially imperforate and free from all obstructions, nail heads, laps, etc.

Another feature of the invention consists in the all weather interlock between sections.

Still a further feature of the invention consists in the anchorage of the section to the frame.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a sectional sign or poster board embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear view of one of the sections. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the section shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3 and in the direction of thee arrows. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken in the plane indicated by the line 6-6 in Fig. 2 and in the direction of the arrows Fig. 7 is an enlarged section of the interlocking connection between two adjacent panels and of the right hand portion of Fig. 5.

In the drawings 10 indicates a plurality of uprights in spaced relation which are connected by a plurality of transversely arranged section supports or stringers 11. Suitable braces 12 may also be provided. Mounted thereon are a plurality of sections indicated generally in Figs. 1 and 2 by the numeral 13.

. The frame 14: and molding 15 complete the board.

1927. Serial No. 185,688.

The board section includes an unobstructed face, sheet or strip 16 having parallel ends 17 and 18 with inturned extensions 19 and 20, respectively, one of the foregoing, and herein extension 20, being provided with a reverse extension 21. A pair of rails 22 each are provided with a channel groove 23 to receive the respective angular ends of the metal sheet 16. In construction the metal sheet 16 is corrugated, rolled or formed with an outline as shown in Fig. 5. The two side rails are then positioned on the sheet and moved laterally until the angular ends of the sheet seat in the respective adjacent groove 23. A plurality of transverse brace members at are thereupon positioned between the two rails 22 to maintain said rails in spaced relation and to lock the sheet to the rails. The braces or spacing bars 24 are suitably anchored to the rails as by the U-shaped staples 25 that extend across each corner of the brace and into the side rail.

The upper and lower ends of the braces are positioned flush with the end of the metal sheet 16 but the side rails extend beyond the same at each end a suitable distance and are perforated as at 26 to receive an anchoring member in the form of a spike or bolt 27 that anchors the section to the upper and lower stringers 11.

To prevent flapping of the metal sheet there is suitably secured to the rear face thereof, as at 28, a strap 29, which anchorage may be by spot-welding or otherwise as long 7 as it does not expose an obstruction upon the face of the section. Each end of the strap 29 embraces the middle stringer 11 and the ends overlap and include registering apertures that receive a small pin or nail 30, which since the tension is applied oppositely there-' on and laterally thereof, is suliicient to hold the sheet 16 from flapping and separating from the brace or spacer 24:. An ordinary shingle nail has been found sufficient for this anchorage.

The units thus formed, as will be apparent from Figs. 1, 2 and 3, are complementary since the groove 23 receiving the end 19 of one section is adapted to receive the interlocking prejeeen portion 21 of the adjacent ion. The resultant construction provides "QlfllGl'flOOf joint which prevents moisure from being driven through the junction et-ween the sections and thus destroying the copy on the board. if for any reason any of the several parts, to wit, the braces 24 or rail 22 become broken another may be readily substituted therefor and likewise if for any reason the sheet 16 should become perforated or otherwise unsuitable for sign purposes, a new sheet may be replaced upon the framework of the section. The foregoing construction provides for the maximum usage r from the materials employed.

The openings 26 are preferably drilled or pro-formed since the rails 22 and braces 24 are preferably of red wood which has a tendency to split when subjected to deep penetration, and if bolts are employed they may be readily mounted upon theupper and lower stringers when the sections are applied thereto. As shown clearly in Fig. 1, the frame sides 14, etc. are supported by the stringers and the molding l5 covers the ends of the rails 22 and aoout an inch or so of the sheet 16.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the face of each section is substantially devoid of any obstruction and that the unction between sections is also substantially devoid of any obstruction and is substantially weatherproof. The objection to obstructions upon the surface of the board is that the same cause imperfect anchorage of the copy to the board and permit ready removal of the copy by the elements which is undesirable. Also in cleaning the copy from the board said ohstructions seriously interfere or delay the cleaning operation and frequently the scraper employed will perforate the sign receiving portion 16 which would not occur had the sign receiving portion been free of all obstructions.

Theinvention claimed is 1. A sectional board construction comprising a frame, a plurality of similar sections each including a section framework having a pair of channel grooved side rails, the channel edges of said rails being turned outwardly, and a sheet extending across said frame and having ends extending in said grooves for sheet anchorage, said sections being arranged to form a suostantially flat and flush continuous top-receiving surface, one of said end portions extending beyond one of the grooves and into a groove of the adjacent section and interlockingly mating to form a water-tight joint, said sea-tings constituting the sole source of anchorage for the edges of the sheet.

2. A board section including a frame having a pair of channel grooved side rails, the channel edges of said rails being turned out Wardly, and a sheet extending across said frame and having ends seated in said grooves for sheet anchorage, said seating constituting the sole source of anchorage for the edge of the sheet, and means pro]ect1ng from one of the grooves of the side rails for reception i by an adjacent and matching groove of an adjacent section for locking the sections together.

3. A board section including a frame having a pair of channel grooved side rails, the channel edges of said rails being turned outwardly, a sheet extending across said frame and having ends seated in said grooves for sheet anchorage, said seating constituting the sole source of anchorage for the edge of the sheet, and an extension from one end of said sheet receivable by an adjacent and matching groove of'an adjacent section for locking the sections together.

4. A board section including a frame having a pair of channel grooved side rails, the channel edges of said rails being turned outwardly, a sheet extending across said frame and having ends seated in said grooves for sheet anchorage, said seating constituting the sole source of anchorage for the edge of the sheet, and sheet anchoring means secured to the rear of the sheet other than at the edges by arconnection providing a copy-receiving surface free from any obstruction.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

WILLIAM REX BELL. 

